Digital Citizenship Skills Are Dividing People Into Two Camps
Across the globe, we see examples of how digital citizenship skills divide people into two groups: those who master them and those who don’t, leaving the latter vulnerable to manipulation. Today, even national leaders exploit this divide shamelessly. Truth and facts have become flexible concepts, and without fundamental digital citizenship skills, individuals face a significant risk of being misled.
Children and young people are especially at risk. Without critical thinking, digital literacy, and other key digital skills, they remain highly susceptible to external influences.
Growing Digital Divide
The global ICILS report (Computer and Information Literacy) evaluates the digital skills of 8th-grade students across various countries, as well as schools' and teachers' readiness to support their learning. The study focuses particularly on computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT), alongside the availability and use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) resources in schools.
In the report:
- Computer and information literacy refers to digital text skills, the ability to use computers effectively, and the competencies needed to search for, process, and share information, especially online.
- Computational thinking focuses on problem-solving in a technological context, including skills to present problems algorithmically and implement solutions using computers.
Key Findings of the Report
- Student Proficiency: Many students struggle with CIL skills. Nearly half fail to meet the threshold for independent digital work.
- Computational Thinking: Skills vary significantly, with only a small percentage reaching high proficiency. Most students can complete basic tasks but struggle with advanced computational problem-solving.
- Digital Divide: Students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds or with better access to digital tools perform better in both CIL and CT skills.
- Teacher Training: Teachers require more professional development to integrate ICT effectively into education.
- ICT Use Among Students: While students actively use digital tools outside school, their effective application in education remains limited. Multitasking during academic tasks further undermines computational thinking skills.
The report underscores the urgent need for better ICT resources, teacher training, and equitable access to technology to foster digital literacy and computational thinking in education.
Alarming Signs from Finland
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (2023) aims for Finland to become the world's leading developer and user of sustainable digitalization in education by 2027. However, the ICILS report paints a contrasting picture as the target year approaches:
- Nearly half of Finnish schools lack a clear strategy for ICT use in education.
- Teachers feel they need more training to use technology effectively in teaching.
- Computational thinking and programming remain undervalued, and student interest in technology careers is worryingly low.
- The widening gap in digital skills leaves some students unprepared for the digital world’s demands, such as online safety and practical ICT applications.
While Finnish students still rank in the top third globally, the lack of readiness among schools and teachers sends warning signals to policymakers and parents. Without intervention, Finnish children risk falling behind in critical future skills like problem-solving and creative technology use, while also becoming more vulnerable to online abuse and misinformation.
School of Gaming Turns Challenges into Opportunities
At School of Gaming, we see ourselves as a partner in digital education. We transform these challenges into opportunities to support parents and children more effectively. Using popular games like Minecraft and Fortnite Creative, we address the gaps highlighted in the ICILS report.
Through our programs, children learn critical skills for the digital future, such as:
- Computational Thinking: Engaging tasks teach problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and decision-making.
- Computer Skills: We emphasize computer use from the start, guiding parents on selecting appropriate devices and software.
- Collaboration and Communication: Small group work fosters teamwork, self-expression, negotiation, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and other essential social skills for success both online and offline.
- Confidence in Technology: In our community, children gain positive peer influence and learn to use digital tools creatively and responsibly, blending play with future-ready skills.
Discover School of Gaming
Explore what we offer through our online camps and weekly clubs. Check out our schedule right here on our website!